Wow

I had been loitering on the transactions page, as per usual, when a few interesting items popped up.










Due to the lack of official releases about these moves from the teams involved (Well, other than this.), I went here. And found this. And all I can say is, "Wow."

So Travis Banga is now a Texas Brahma, and Matt Byrnes and Topher Scott are now Killer Bees. Dennis Maxwell must feel even older now. I wonder if Byrnes and Scott are expected to arrive in time for tomorrow's game...

UPDATE: The Killer Bees have sent out a press release, which states the two newbies (haha) are expected to be in tomorrow night's lineup. That gives the Killer Bees two more skaters right off the bat, as Banga had been on the IR anyway. They also get two end-of-the-season futures picks. Banga must be feeling pretty valuable right about now. As it is not yet on their Web site as I type this, here is the release in its entirety:

KILLER BEES SEND BANGA TO BRAHMAS IN FOUR-FOR-ONE SWAP

(January 5, 2009)

HIDALGO, TEXAS --- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League today announced a four-for-one trade that sends center Travis Banga to the Texas Brahmas in exchange for forward Topher Scott, center Matt Byrnes and a pair of future considerations.

The deal involves acquiring both Scott and Byrnes from the Brahmas and includes end-of-the-season futures picks from both Rocky Mountain and Rapid City. Those picks were originally owed to Texas from each club in earlier deals. Byrnes was acquired by Texas from Wichita to complete a futures transaction and then dealt to the Killer Bees.

Both Scott and Byrnes are expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday night when the Killer Bees host the Laredo Bucks at the Dodge Arena at 7:30 p.m. Winter Texans can save $12 per ticket on Tuesday by calling the Killer Bees at (956) 843-PUCK (7825).

"This trade addresses the immediate need of getting additional players in our lineup," Killer Bees Head Coach Chris Brooks said. "Both Matt and Topher are young, fast, skilled players who I think will blend into our lineup smoothly."

Scott, 23, played four seasons of Division 1 college hockey at Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.) from 2004-08 and also spent four seasons with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League from 2000-04. His college totals include 107 points (25-82-107) in 137 games, while he collected 104 points (38-66-104) in 134 USHL games. The USHL is the only Tier 1 hockey league in the United States.

The 5-foot-6, 155-pound native of Buffalo Grove, Ill., appeared in 13 games for the Brahmas this season and posted four points (2-2-4). He played seven games at the end of last season with the Elmira Jackals and had a goal and three helpers.

Byrnes, 26, is a Lincoln, R.I., native who turned pro last season with the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL). In Wheeling, he appeared in 27 games and collected 13 points (4-9-13). The Merrimack University product played in 137 Hockey East games, posting 42 points (11-31-42) from 2003-07 at the North Andover, Mass., Division 1 school.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward played in 25 games for Wichita this season and collected 10 points (4-6-10) and 31 PIM.

Banga, 29, has missed the last 12 games with a leg injury. He accounted for 18 points (9-9-18) in 19 games for the Killer Bees this season. In 2007-08, his first season with RGV, he led the team with 23-28-61 totals.

The Killer Bees begin a five-game home stand this Tuesday night vs. Laredo. On Friday, the Bees host Corpus Christi and then on Saturday RGV tangles with Bossier-Shreveport. All games begin at 7:30 p.m. and are broadcast live on Real Country 102.1 FM and online via the CHL Network.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Brian Sandalow has posted his story about this situation and some more information on his blog. You kind of have to feel for the Killer Bees with the way their veterans have ditched them. Okay, you might not feel for them, but I do. No offense to Banga; he seems like a nice enough guy, but he is ditching them no matter how he sees it.